EU responds to Witkoff's comment on Russian "referenda" in occupied areas

The European Union adheres to the position that in the negotiations on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, it is Ukraine that should determine their terms, while the EU confirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

This was stated by European Commission spokeswoman Anita Hipper at a briefing in Brussels in the context of statements by US Special Representative Steve Witkoff regarding Russian "referendums" in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and the need to take into account the claims of the Russian invaders to these territories during the negotiations, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"When it comes to the discussion on peace talks, our position is very clear. And I would like to reiterate two main points. One is that it’s for Ukraine to decide the conditions. The second point is nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. In view of Russia’s continued attacks, Russia cannot be trusted. We have also seen the attacks over the weekend, including a strike on Kyiv where three people died, including a 5-year-old child. This shows that Russia still needs to demonstrate its genuine political will to end its illegal and unprovoked aggression,” Hipper noted.

She recalled that the EU provides Ukraine with military, financial, humanitarian assistance and continues to exert pressure on Russia – it has already applied 16 packages of sanctions against the aggressor state and is preparing a 17th package.

“We have to support Ukraine right now more than ever. And this is what we will be doing,” the spokeswoman added.

At the same time, she dismissed Russia’s "referenda" in the occupied territories, to which the U.S. special representative referred, as "total sham", emphasizing that they were held "at gunpoint".

Hipper also recalled that following the European Council on March 20, the heads of state and government confirmed their unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

As Ukrinform reported, Steve Witkoff said in an interview with American host Tucker Carlson that the key problem in resolving the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine is the issue of temporarily occupied territories.

Photo: The Washington Post